The Green River District Health Department offers the following health advice for the month of November:
Diabetes Awareness Month
November is National Diabetes Month. This year’s focus is on taking action to prevent diabetes health problems. Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too
high.
It affects about 37 million Americans, including adults and youth. Diabetes can damage the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and heart, and it is linked to some types of cancer.
But there’s also good news: Taking charge of your health may help you prevent diabetes health problems. Manage your blood glucose,blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. Research shows that managing your diabetes as soon as possible after diagnosis may help prevent diabetes health problems.
Take small steps toward healthy lifestyle habits. Work with your health care team. Living a healthy lifestyle and managing chronic conditions, such as diabetes, takes a team.
The Great American Smokeout – November 16, 2023
Cigarette smoking remains the leading preventable cause of disease and death in the United States. An estimated 30.8 million Americans smoke cigarettes, and more than 480,000 people die from a smoking-related illness each year—meaning smoking causes about 1 in 5 deaths in the United States.
The Great American Smokeout has been hosted by the American Cancer Society for over 40 years on the third Thursday of November. This event challenges people to stop smoking and encourages them to learn
about the many tools they can use to help them quit and stay quit.
You can get FREE support through Quit Now Kentucky by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW or texting QUITNOW to 333888.
Consider starting your quit journey on November 16 – it could be the first day of a healthier, tobacco-free life. For more information about The Great American Smokeout go to www.cancer.org/smokeout
Respiratory Viruses
Viruses that cause respiratory diseases, like the ones that cause COVID-19, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), usually spread in the fall and winter. Anyone can get a respiratory virus infection, but some people are at higher risk for serious illness. Green River District Health Department and The Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH) recommends the following actions to protect yourself and others:
1. Stay up to date with vaccines
2. Stay home, if sick
3. Wash hands often
4. Cover coughs and sneezes
5. Consider wearing a mask if you are high-risk for serious illness